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A for Aeffort

Dual (or more) statted modules move down a few notches on my to-buy list, generally. I want all the work to be done, I want the module tailored to the specific system I'm running it with and I don't want to be distracted by other stats.

Another and big part of my purchasing decision is based on aesthetics, and dealing with a downloaded patch of stats is not ideal unless it's very very well produced.

Registered User

FWIW, I buy "Savaged" versions of other games because Savage Worlds is one of my goto systems. I picked up SW Mars and Thrilling Tales and was very pleased with both. I'd looked at both previously and had skipped by their earlier incarnations because I didn't feel like buying a new system and learning it.

I have no interest in 4e, but I do occasionally buy and play TSR era, D&D compatible stuff still.

It seems like making multiple versions could give you some long-tail sales, but probably shouldn't be your main priority. I'd also make them PDF only or POD at most.

The only real problem I'd see for you is that 4e is waaaay more minis centric than earlier editions, especially TSR era editions, which means that work you might do to make an encounter more interesting in 4e would be kinda pointless except in very broad terms for pre- 3e versions.

Level five vegan

The only real problem I'd see for you is that 4e is waaaay more minis centric than earlier editions, especially TSR era editions, which means that work you might do to make an encounter more interesting in 4e would be kinda pointless except in very broad terms for pre- 3e versions.

That's a great point. Usually, there's a point in an adventure where you can *almost* cut and paste encounters between systems (I've inserted WFRP2 encounters into modules from several other systems with little difficulty). With 4e, the waters are muddier with more things that need to be taken into account.

Retired User

On the other hand, they could just have a 4e adventure design team, a Pathfinder adventure design team, and an "Other" adventure design team. Occasionally the teams collaborate (it'd be like a cross-over in the comic books!), but for the most part, the different teams do what they do separately. Maybe some general plot threads are used across all three, but for the most part, you just have your separate teams, and you CLEARLY label which product goes with what.

That's a great point. Usually, there's a point in an adventure where you can *almost* cut and paste encounters between systems (I've inserted WFRP2 encounters into modules from several other systems with little difficulty). With 4e, the waters are muddier with more things that need to be taken into account.

As a non-4e player, I can't understand why that would be. Sure, I can see the need to include tactical maps (most modules do anyway) and to vary the 'strength' of the encounter, include stat-blocks from different systems etc. but why would 4e be so hard to factor in?

whORE

This is probably due to the fact that 4e is available everywhere, and you can pick it up in person, while Pathfinder isn't and people have to go looking for it. It's far more available online than in person, so it makes sense people would go to Amazon for it. I wouldn't think that's an indication that Pathfinder is any sort of competitor to 4e.

whORE

As a non-4e player, I can't understand why that would be. Sure, I can see the need to include tactical maps (most modules do anyway) and to vary the 'strength' of the encounter, include stat-blocks from different systems etc. but why would 4e be so hard to factor in?

4e has some explicit encounter guidelines, rather than the more generic ones for other systems, so while you could have an adventure work for multiple non 4e systems, it might be exceedingly easy or have something else go wrong in 4e.

Retired User

4e has some explicit encounter guidelines, rather than the more generic ones for other systems, so while you could have an adventure work for multiple non 4e systems, it might be exceedingly easy or have something else go wrong in 4e.

This is probably due to the fact that 4e is available everywhere, and you can pick it up in person, while Pathfinder isn't and people have to go looking for it. It's far more available online than in person, so it makes sense people would go to Amazon for it. I wouldn't think that's an indication that Pathfinder is any sort of competitor to 4e.

6% vs 75% is no competition either, I think I made that evident, and I also made clear that such 'pick up anywhere' sales may not be taken into account in the various stats. Pathfinder is NOT going to knock 4e off the top-spot any time soon if ever. However it's a bit like the Linux vs Windows situation, or Mac vs PC. The underdog is doing well enough that it is not going to go away, is generating significant sales and has to be taken into account. Now what WILL knock 4e off the top-spot will be 5e, and unless Wizards/Hasbro change their marketing strategy radically, I would expect to see this by around 2015 or shortly thereafter.

However, as mentioned, the question is not always what people are buying but what they are playing. No-one is buying 3.5 any more (well, not significantly anyway), as it isn't being printed, but like it or not a lot are still playing it. These are potential buyers for companies like Goodman that they don't want to miss out on.

whORE

However, as mentioned, the question is not always what people are buying but what they are playing. No-one is buying 3.5 any more (well, not significantly anyway), as it isn't being printed, but like it or not a lot are still playing it. These are potential buyers for companies like Goodman that they don't want to miss out on.

The issue is it's a market that can only shrink. Eventually people will stop playing, and it's hard to bring new players in without the ability to buy rulebooks. Developing for 3.5 doesn't make much sense. Pathfinder is at least supported. It might be possible to do an adventure that's compatible with both because of their similarity, but publishing adventures for a game that's no longer printed seems like a losing proposition.

City Druid

The real question is whether the non-4e market is likely to buy modules at any rate worth the cost it takes to produce extra stats. Until that question is answered, it's non likely profitable to market to players of 3.anything.